Wayne Sleep OBE Swaps Ballet For Line Dancing – For Charity
- New research shows nearly half of over-70s don’t think they’re fit enough
- Royal Voluntary Service ambassador Wayne Sleep OBE sings the praises of exercising with others
- He calls for new volunteers to #MakeADifference by supporting the charity in an inspirational new film
Wayne Sleep OBE tried out his shuffles and slides when he dropped in on a popular line dancing class run by Royal Voluntary Service in Stoke-on-Trent.
Sleep, who is an ambassador for the charity, made the visit to shoot a short film. It’s part of a campaign Royal Voluntary Service is running with support from Yakult.
The #MakeADifference campaign aims to
- raise awareness of the charity’s role within the community
- encourage more people to volunteer their time to support others and
- advocate the benefits of staying social and active in later life.
Wayne was filmed as he joined in a weekly line dancing class held at the charity’s Hanley Centre in Stoke. He met members of the class and also chatted to the volunteers who help run the session.
“A welcoming place to connect with others”
Wayne said, “It was clear from the dancers’ smiles, noisy chatter and laughter, that the group I visited is so important. It is a welcoming place for people to get together regularly with friends and connect with others.
“The volunteers I met were just amazing too. Not only are they giving their time to run these brilliant dance classes for people in their community, they are staying active too.”
Line dancing was a new experience for Wayne
The campaign comes as new research commissioned by Royal Voluntary Service and Yakult reveals almost half (48%) of 70+ year olds admit they are not fit enough. Around 300,000 older people confess they aren’t physically active because they don’t enjoy exercise.
Royal Voluntary Service supports older people to stay fit and active, whatever their fitness or mobility levels. It believes providing more opportunities to exercise in the company of others could be the solution.
More than three-quarters (76%) of older people surveyed who do attend an exercise class or group say they enjoy the camaraderie. 69% relish the social aspect and 59% have made new friends since joining.
“Volunteers are making a difference”
Rebecca Kennelly, Director of Volunteering, Royal Voluntary Service said, “For more than 80 years, Royal Voluntary Service has been mobilising volunteers to meet the big needs of the day.
“As our research shows, one of the most pressing is helping people age better – specifically supporting them to exercise more frequently and to experience the health and wellbeing benefits of doing so with others.
“We are very excited to be working with Yakult and Wayne Sleep to highlight the difference our volunteers make, and hope to inspire more people to take action.
“Whether it’s helping to run a dance group or one of our many other activity clubs, doing some chair-based exercises with an older person in their home or setting up a walking group in their area, our volunteers make a tangible difference to those they support.
“This enables them to lead happier and healthier lives.”
Wayne chats to RVS volunteers Rita Steadman (left) and Marie Greaves over a cuppa after the class.
“A friendly and sociable atmosphere”
Reg Dutton attends the weekly line dancing class at the Hanley Centre. He said, “My wife and I have been going to the group for many years. I don’t know how we would keep fit without it.
“It took me a while to get the steps at first but the volunteer teachers are incredibly patient and relaxed. I never felt pressured to get it right first time. There’s a really friendly and sociable atmosphere. It really is one of the highlights of our week.”
Hiroaki Yoshimura is Managing Director of Yakult UK and Ireland. He said, “We are proud to be partnering with the Royal Voluntary Service to help spread the word about the benefits of keeping an active lifestyle. We encourage everyone to consider giving back to their community through volunteering.
“For the past 85 years, our company’s philosophy has been about contributing to the health and happiness of people around the world. Healthy ageing is particularly close to our hearts and Japanese culture.”
More about Royal Voluntary Service…
Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities. It has thousands of volunteers supporting hundreds of people each month in hospitals and in the community.
The charity is also one of the largest retailers in the NHS. Its network of cafes, shops and trolley services provide a valued haven in hospitals.
Find out about opportunities in your area. Or donate to support the work of the RVS.
Follow Royal Voluntary Service on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @RoyalVolService #MakeADifference
Sarah Proctor
I've worked on a variety of regional newspapers and national magazines. My Weekly and Your Best Ever Christmas are fantastic, warm-hearted brands with an amazing, talented team. I'm a sub-editor and particularly love working on cookery, fiction and advice pages - I feel I should know all the secrets of eternal life, health and happiness by now, but hey, we all need that regular reminder!
